Venice Parks and Gardens

(Venice, Veneto, Italy)



Venice, Italy can really boast about its wide variety of parks, ranging from the largest to the smallest, both private and public. You would never imagine that the watery city of Venice would have so much greenery - if you know where to look!

The Venice, Italy parks and gardens include many that were the former private gardens and parklands of the city's nobility and whether it is just a small square with surrounding trees or a larger open space, they are all peaceful places to relax.



Venice Parks and Gardens

Giardino Giusti

Address: Via Giardino Giusti, Verona
One of the country's finest Renaissance gardens, the Giardino Giusti was laid out in 1580. The beautiful formal gardens of clipped hedges, topiary, potted plants and statues contrast well with the upper area of natural woodland. These two very different areas are linked by stone terracing. The gardens are open daily and should you decide to visit, you will not be disappointed.

Parco delle Rimembranze (Gardens of Remembrance)

Address: Castello, Venice
The Parco delle Rimembranze remembers the soldiers that died in the second world war. This pleasant park is full of tall trees, plants and benches. There are also excellent children's play areas, large areas of grass and there is even a roller skating rink. Close to the shops, this park is an ideal place for a relaxing picnic and nearby is the large soccer stadium - Stadio Penza.

Giardinetti Reali (Royal Gardens)

Address: San Marco, Venice
Situated next to the Piazza San Marco, this stunning public garden is full of established trees, flowers, pathways and seats, so that you can rest and enjoy the calming atmosphere. The Royal Gardens were originally created in the early 19th century by Napoleon, to give him a stunning view from his nearby offices.

Giardini Pubblici (Public Gardens)

- Viale Trento, Venice
On the eastern edge of Venice, the Giardini Pubblici is situated along the Riva degli Schiavoni, away from central tourist areas. Stretching from the statue of Garibaldi in the Castello district, to the public gardens and the grounds of the Biennale d'Arte exhibition, there are avenues of beautiful, large trees. There are also good facilities for children, with a play area including swings and slides. In odd-numbered years, there is a large and impressive international festival of modern art that takes place in the summer. The park can be easily reached and is just a short walk from the city centre - or alternatively, you can use one of the city's water-buses.

Campo Santa Margherita

Address: Dorsoduro, Venice
With huge trees, large open spaces, plenty of benches and a splendid fountain, the Campo Santa Margherita is a popular place to visit for both locals and tourists alike. Situated in the district of Dorsoduro, which is mainly residential, the park contains a great market, selling fruit, vegetables and fish. Nearby there are excellent restaurants and also some superb ice-cream shops.

Chiostro San Francesco della Vigna

Address: Castello, Venice
For peace and quiet in the busy city of Venice, visit this pretty cloister garden at the church of San Francesco della Vigna. Situated in northern Castello, there are tall cypress trees, flowering oleanders and a courtyard of grass, with a statue of St. Francis in the middle. This sunny spot also has plenty of shade, cast by the tall colonnades that surround the gardens. The church is well worth a visit as it contains some important works of art.

Hruska Botanical Gardens

Address: Via Roma, Gardone
Founded in 1910, these stunning gardens benefit from the town's milder climate, allowing some of the most exotic plants to thrive. The Hruska Botanical Gardens were the work of naturalist, doctor and dentist Arturo Hruska and contain more than 2,000 different varieties of plants and flowers. There is also a breathtaking rock garden, which is without doubt one of the best in Europe. The gardens are open daily from March to October.

Orto Botanico

Address: Via Orto Botanico, Padua
Padua's fine botanical garden was founded in 1545 and it is the oldest garden of this type in Europe. With much exotic foliage and ancient trees (one of the palm trees dates back to 1585), the gardens have an interesting history - they were used to cultivate Italy's first sunflowers and potatoes, in the late 16th century.